My New Interceptor - '72 Mk 111, 133-5597

[Grant]

I bought a couple cheap laser levels with magnetic base, wheels off Lasers on the discs and center the wheels by using the lasers backwards so each dot is in same position on the rear tyres.
Then reverse them on the discs and line up on a wall about ten feet away. Marking the distance apart just in front of the wheels on a cross tube and then marking the distance apart on the wall. Half of the difference together with the distance to wall gives me a reasonably accurate result in degrees by using the measurements as sides a and b of a right angled triangle.

Also purchased a suspension set up laser level that gives the readout in degrees to the horizontal and vertical, I use it on the disc vertically with wheels in straight ahead to check camber and on The FF on the bottom of the front upright to get castor. Bit rough and ready but makes sure I am in the ball park.

Need a "LIKE" button for that^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ John

[RayR]

Hi Rocky,

Seems to be many ways to do this. I prefer a wheels on method, quicker to do and makes sure the ride height is correct and easy to simulate different loads.
For Camber and Castor I use a Deco Camber/Castor gauge from Speedway and using its magnet hold on a steel plate, remove the wheel emblems and then hold the gauge/steel firmly against the outside wheel machined face (should check that is true to the disc, mine were spot on) and read camber and castor as per the instructions, first time a bit tricky but soon pick up the knack for doing it.
For toe, personally I have found any measurement technique on tyre side faces is unreliable and not, for me, repeatable (string, long straight edges etc.) . I use a long aluminium beam that has a "spike" on one end that picks up in the central, or other, tyre main groove (check it's true, mine have been) - then mark where the groove is on the other side of the bar. The beam is on blocks to get the bar close to wheel centrerline. Repeat for other side of the wheel so you have a front and rear reading, subtract appropriately to get the toe result at the tyre and correct to get back to a wheel rim number.

It takes longer to write than to do and again is non-intrusive and you can easily do with different loads in the car (makes a significant difference on mine).

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Ray

[RockyUSA]

Heading to West Texas on a 2000 mile journey. I’ll try to post up some pictures along the way.

Ps. How far is it from Calais to Istanbul? I heard that excursion was what the Interceptor cars are designed for, especially if you don’t want Jeeves (or Grant) to drive you on that journey in the Rolls!

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[Grant]

Have a good trip ChuckyMan..hopefully it won't only turn left after your suspension rebuilt..or you'll be back home in no time..once round the block and you'll be back

[Dion]

Ps. How far is it from Calais to Istanbul? I heard that excursion was what the Interceptor cars are designed for, especially if you don’t want Jeeves (or Grant) to drive you on that journey in the Rolls!

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Approx 1800 miles according to G Maps. Watch out for the roadworks
So a little less than your road trip. Have fun - we all love those road trips.

[RockyUSA]

Thanks! That looks like a nice ride for the summertime... But with that trip you have to return, too!

I did 725 miles yesterday (Tucson to San Angelo, TX - the Pearl of the Concho). Hope to get some pictures today.

The only problem was my speedometer (maybe the cable?) stopped working.

I’m way out in the Texas oil patch.... I used to work out here... still remember the smell of crude oil from the Permian Basin (we young engineers called it the “Permanant Basement”!)

Note the Texas Flag in the background!

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[RockyUSA]

One more....

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[RockyUSA]

Today’s glamour shot!

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[RockyUSA]

Some say the building looks like Godzilla emerging from a Hampton Inn.

It’s the Granbury Texas courthouse.

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[RockyUSA]

The best hamburgers in Texas! It says so right there on the sign!

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[RockyUSA]

Has anyone installed Hella E-Code headlights (glass & H4 bulbs) into their Interceptor?

Lots of bulb choices. I’m going to install a relay switched harness, and am struggling with bulb choices....

Any suggestions appreciated.

Rocky

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[slotcarone]

Hi Rocky
My car has Cibie headlights in it. Pretty sure they came in the car as the doctor that was the first owner probably did not put them in. There doesn't seem to be any additional/different wiring for them. If you use the basic 60/55 watt bulbs you should not have any problems and will see a big difference in the lighting. Just like the handling of the car when I bought the Interceptor in 1986 I thought WOW what great headlights! But of course my modern cars with the LED headlights really are amazing compared to anything from this era.

[slotcarone]

I really don't think you need any changes to the wiring. If I remember correctly the Halogen headlights draw less than the standard sealed beams. When I had my sunbeam Tiger I replaced the standard bulbs with Halogen headlights and had no problems and that car had a generator.

[RockyUSA]

Yes, I agree generally, but.... I plan to do a write up for a future JOC Magazine on an inexpensive (yet very high quality) harness upgrade, and with that comes a desire for higher wattage lights.

I do again concur that if I kept the harnessing the same, the 5006A, or the 5006E bulbs (recommended by the vendor) are the way to go...

Rocky

[Grant]

Hi RockyMan ..I went with an HID conversion and fitted them to the existing headlamp glass's/bowls, they are so bright and I can now see really well at night. The Headlight Bowls were new ones for Halogen headlight bulbs from a Capri and had a hole for the side light bulb, so I put an LED side light bulb in there and done away with the bulb in the under-bumper light unit. What I also did was had high beam and low beam on the outside 2 lights and then put xenon bulbs in the inside 2, so on high beam I have 2 x HID and 2 x Halogen, it lights the street up so well, I haven't actually set the beam levels though and I should do that ASAP really..I just never seem to get to it, I ran the HID on the existing wiring just added another relay I think from memory, it was a good while ago now so can't elaborate on that much more..I guess I was no help at all Victor